From India to Qatar: My Journey of Dreams, Challenges, and Growth - Aatika Mehpara

Hello! I’m Aatika Mehpara, a 24-year-old born and raised in Qatar. Although I moved to India at the age of five, I’ve always felt a strong connection to both places.

My father believed in giving me a childhood free from the rush of early academics, so hetaught me the basics at home before I finally started school. My educational journey began at MES Indian School in Qatar, where I experienced a wonderfully diverse and practical learning environment for the first year. Later, my family moved to Bhilai, India, where I was enrolled at Delhi Public School, Durg—a school that truly shaped my academic foundation.

Adjusting to India was challenging. I couldn’t read or speak Hindi, and during my admission test, I broke down in tears because I couldn’t understand a word. Fortunately, the principal was kind and encouraged me to keep learning. My parents hired three tutors to help me catch up in various subjects, especially Hindi and Arabic, which helped me settle into the new educational system. 

While academics were tough, I excelled in sports and extracurricular activities. Unlike my elder brother and sister—who were brilliant students and went on to become doctors—I struggled, especially in math. However, I had big dreams of working in a corporate office, just like my father. Becoming a doctor wasn’t for me; I was too sensitive and squeamish around blood.

In 10th grade, I earned a CGPA of 8.0 and chose commerce, not science. Although I wasn’t a top student, I developed a passion for my field. I joined a coaching institute and decided to pursue Cost Management Accounting (CMA) along with a bachelor's in commerce (B.Com). I also completed diplomas in Financial Management and Production. Passing the CMA foundation boosted my confidence, but I faced a setback when I missed clearing the intermediate exam by just three marks. Watching my siblings succeed while I struggled with exams was disheartening, and I felt immense self-doubt.

Despite the challenges, I graduated with strong grades and later pursued an MBA in HR and Finance. With the arrival of COVID-19, my college experience became limited to online classes, and I had little exposure to a traditional campus life. However, my hard work paid off—I finally passed my CMA and completed my MBA. I vividly  emember the sleepless nights of self-doubt, asking Allah why my path felt so difficult, but looking back, I realize each challenge was a step toward my dreams.

Upon returning to Qatar, I began my job search. My first opportunity was with Kahramaa, a government organization, for a contract representative position. Although I was told I was “overqualified,” I eagerly accepted. Before I could start, I was called back to India, and while there, I received another call—this time from Qatar Energy, a leader in the global energy sector. After an interview, I was offered a position as a WellView Engineer with a fulfilling role and salary.

Today, I am living my dream—working in Qatar in a role I once envisioned for myself. I’ve learned the power of persistence, prayer, and holding on to my aspirations, no matter how hard the journey seemed.

This is my story, from India to Qatar—a journey of resilience, growth, and faith. Alhamdulillah, I’m grateful for every part of it, and I hope it inspires others to chase their dreams no matter the obstacles.